July X Project Report
Over 500 families in Mexico won’t be receiving homes on behalf of Amor Ministries in 2009. Well, this number is now about 497 families. Three houses were built during July 10-12 on our very first (and very successful!) X Project, a Mission Trip for individuals.
As a member of the Ministry Resources team here at Amor, I spent this past weekend on the X Project, helping build, interpreting, and fellowshipping with the participants. I have to admit, I was a bit nervous launching this new program, but God took care of every worry I had.
Individuals created a group of 14 three-day builders who arrived bright and early from northern California, Washington, and Nevada. The whole group eagerly jumped in to building a new house for the Verdugo family, quickly joking with the new friends they had made. Over the weekend, the X Project three-day group built simple home with a cement floor and stucco finish, and the Verdugo family could not have been more grateful. Amidst the building, we played with the children, reflected together through breakout sessions, and shared snacks with the family.
On Saturday morning, 39 more volunteers joined the X Project to participate in a one day building project, completing two houses in about eight hours! These super-charged individuals powered through the framing, siding, and painting of the houses while playing soccer, fellowshipping with the families and each other, building a dog house, and left time to spare for a short break.
On Saturday evening, all 53 X Project participants, along with the Amor team, returned to Amor Ministries’ RanchoCamp for a taco dinner and a time of sharing with Amor’s Founder and CEO Scott Congdon. We worshipped together, and then we spent time discussing the experiences of the day in small groups. After a long day, the one-day participants returned to Amor’s headquarters in San Diego, while the three-dayers had s’mores and an impromptu shadow puppet show.
Throughout the weekend, I saw flexibility, joy, and commitment to love our neighbors overflow from every individual who gave their time to join this X Project. I can’t wait for the next X Project weekends, when more people can see a glimpse of Mexico and feel God’s power as He transcends all borders!
To learn about future X Projects visit: www.amor.org/xproject
To see the X Project Video, click here.
By Katie Haar
“Over 500 families in Mexico WON’T be receiving homes on behalf of Amor Ministries in 2009″
YOU MIGHT WANT TO FIX THAT TYPO MR. EDITOR.
@Michael
Michael,
Thank you for your comment. However, Ms. Haar’s statement is correct. In comparison to 2008, more than 500 families in Mexico (closer to 700) will not (won’t) be receiving a home this year on behalf of Amor Ministries. This is because of people’s/churches’ fear of coming to Mexico to serve on short term mission trips. It was for this reason the X Project was created – to provide individuals an opportunity to serve with out having to organize a whole group.
Thank you so much for reading the Amor Blog.
Jon